The Stars Between -- (VLD)

[28] We're not leaving anyone behind

Everyone agreed that the plan was brilliant.

Which of course meant that everything went to shit. Very quickly.

Muxis and Therra struggled to hold back Roy, who was attempting to blast down the ship door and make a break for it.

Lance supposed that with everything that she and Olly had gone through, her actions were fairly justified.

"I don't know what happened!" Vi groaned, swaying on the spot. Rolo reached over to steady them, and Vi smiled weakly in thanks before wiping their mouth.

With a tiny grimace, Vi hid their hand behind their back, but not before Lance noticed.

And he'd seen enough of Vi's blood to recognise it anywhere.

"One minute she was there, and then... black." Vi continued as if nothing had happened.

Lance moved beside them, gently guiding Vi to the closest seat. He gave them a once over, noting the bruises forming on their lower torso.

Vi looked as if they was struggling to remain conscious, skin pale and blotchy in comparison to earlier that day. He pressed a deft hand to Vi's stomach, feeling how tense the muscles were, and inwardly swore.

Lance hated what he was going to do, especially after the conversation he had had with Vi before the mission. He stood up, turning to Muxis and speaking quietly.

"Internal bleeding, we need to get them to Kelaan."

Muxis nodded gravely.

"Nyma, Liliterthith, get the ship ready for take off."

"We're not leaving Olly!" Roy shouted, struggling in Muxis' grip. She managed to tear an arm free from Therra's, half falling to the floor in her struggle.

"Let me go!"

Muxis simply grabbed her other arm.

"Let me finish Roy." He said sternly, but Roy didn't seem to hear.

"Let me go, you traitor!"

"Roy!"

"No, I won't leave her-!"

"Roy, would you listen for one minute?"

"You're going to abandon Olly! You're a traitor! To both your own kind and to the resistance!"

Therra flinched back, ears flattening. If Roy's words hurt Muxis, he didn't reveal it, instead squaring his shoulders.

"Rosaline de Shikkali Ardelande!" Muxis roared, and the entire ship fell silent.

"We're not leaving anyone behind." Muxis said in a much quieter voice, one that stopped Roy in her tracks.

"Nyma, Liliterthith, get the ship ready for take off."

Roy opened her mouth to protest, but a solid glare from Muxis made her close it again.

"Everyone else, grab as many supplies as you can carry, we'll be staying to find Olly and finish our mission." Muxis completed, and released Roy.

Immediately, Roy slouched in exhaustion, breathing deeply through her nose and closing her eyes. She unclenched her fists, but the tension didn't leave her face.